Last and the final day of Durga Navratri is Vijaya Dashami or Dasara. In 2009, Vijaya Dashami day is on September 28^th. Goddess Rajarajeshwari Devi is worshipped on this day. Mother Goddess is decorated and worshipped in the form or alankaram of Raja Rajeshwari Devi in South Indian temples especially Vijayawada Kanaka Durga temple.

Rajarajeshwari holds a noose in her   hand. The noose tells us about the power she has on the whole universe which she can control by her determination and love. The goad is the indication for power of knowledge. The sugarcane stem draws out the mind principle of man. The five flowered arrows (Pushpa Bana) indicate the five senses – sound, touch, form, taste and smell.

Goddess Rajarajeshwari has three manifestations or forms or aspects – Sthula Shareera (physical aspect), Sukshma Sharira (astral form) and archetypal form of the macrocosm and microcosmic creation.

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Theppotsavam – the final ritual of Navaratri on Vijaya Dashami or Dasara

Vijayadashami is the final day of Durga Navaratri. On this day Durga Visarjan or Udvasan is performed. There is a popular legend associated with Vijaya Dashami tells us about another ritual ‘Shami Puja’.

Legend of Vijayadashami and Shami Puja:

Apart from the story of Lord Ram and Ravan about Vijayadashami, another legend is mentioned in Mahabharata. Pandavas underwent aranyavaas (exile) for a period of time. Pandavas kept their weapons on Shami tree and went to exile incognito. At the moment when they hid their weapons on the tree they performed puja to the tree to guard the weapons safely. At the end of the year, they returned and found their weapons safe. They again worshipped Shami tree for guarding their weapons. They also performed Durga Puja to guide them in the battlefield to beat Kauravas.

In the battlefield, Pandavas were succeeded in defeating Kauravas and since then the day is celebrated as Vijayadashami. And the Shami Puja became a main ritual during Vijayadashami. On this day, leaves of Shami tree are exchanged among friends and relatives as gold. They wish their friends and relatives to get success in every aspect of life.

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Simollanghan in on Dussehra in Maharashtra  

Vijaya Dashami is the tenth and last day of Durga Navratri. In Bengal it is the culmination day of Durga Puja. Vijayadashami 2010 date is October 17. Vijaya Dashami, known with various names – Dussehra or Dasara – signifies the victory of good over evil. This festival is celebrated with much gusto in every region of India and in Nepal.

As per North Indian legend, Vijaya Dashami is a commemoration day of Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan. On this day, Ravan Vadh, burning out huge effigies of Ravan, is performed. Ramlila celebrations are very popular events during Navratri and on Vijaya Dashami day. Durga Visarjan is performed on this day and Durga Puja in Bengal is concluded with Devi immersion.

In Kerala, Vidyarambham is performed on Vijaya Dashami. Vidyarambham is an ancient ritual of initiating children into the world of knowledge. Ayudha Puja is also performed on this day in some places of India. Shami Puja and Aparajita Pooja are some other main rituals of Vijaya Dashami. In Maharashtra, Simollanghan, crossing the borders of a place, is done.

Dasara, also spelt as Dussehra, is observed on the tenth day in Shukla Paksha of Ashwin or Ashwayuja month. In 2010, the date of Dasara is October 17. It is also called as Vijaya Dashami. Dussehra is the final day of Durga Navratri Puja.

On Dasara, Shami Puja is performed in some places. Mysore Dasara and Kullu Dasara culminate on this day. Ayudha Puja is also one of the main rituals during Dussehra. As this is the last day for Durga Pooja, Goddess is worshipped with utmost devotion. Aparajita is another name of Goddess Shakti. Aparajita Pooja is observed on this day.

In Maharahstra, Simollanghan is celebrated on Dasara. For Kerala people, Vijaya Dashami is a big event. Malayalis perform Vidyarambam for their children on this day. Ramlila, a colourful folk play, is culminated on this day. Durga Visarjan is also performed on Vijaya Dashami.

Dasara or Dussehra is observed on the tenth day in Shukla Paksha of Ashwin or Ashwayuja month. Dasara is also called as Vijaya Dashami. It is the final day of Durga Navratri Puja. On this day, Durga Visarjan is held and the festival of nine nights is concluded. Dasara represents the triumph of good over evil.

Dussehra celebrations in North India:

In North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, popular Ramlila Utsav is celebrated on Dussehra. In many places of India, Dussehra is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami. In Bengal and some other parts of India, Durga idols are immersed (Durga Visarjan) on Vijaya Dashami.

In Kullu of Himachal Pradesh, Dasara celebrations are observed as Kullu Dussehra. It is a colorful 10-day festival which attracts large number of tourists even from other countries. Simollanghan is the main ritual of Dasara in Maharashtra.

Dasara celebrations in South India:

In Mysore, Karnataka, famous celebrations called ‘Mysore Dasara’ are commenced for 10 days during Durga Navratri. These celebrations are concluded on Dasara. This is a ages-old tradition to celebrated Mysore Dasara in colourful manner.

In some places, Shami Puja is performed on Dasara day. This ritual is associated with Arjuna and his weapons. Jammi Puja (Jammi = Shami) is observed in Andhra Pradesh on Dasara. Aparajita Pooja is also observed on Dasara in some places.

In Kerala, Vidyarambam, a special ritual of initiating children into studies, is performed on Dasara. Vidyarambam is a main ritual during Durga Navratri in Kerala. Golu or Bommai kolu or Bommala Kolovu arranged during Durga Navaratri is concluded on Dasara day.

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